Sexual Violence: A Global Pandemic/ 29 July – 4 Aug
Sexual Violence: A Global Pandemic
Written by Nikunj Morarka
Policy and Legal Team
Sexual violence is a global pandemic. One in three women experience sexual or physical violence – most likely from their intimate partner, according to a report from the World Health Organization. There is an urgent need to increase sensitisation regarding sexual violence and the awareness of consent and sexual violence amongst persons at large. In this series, we examine sexual violence and related issues that have come up in the news, on a weekly basis, published every Saturday. This is an attempt to improve awareness regarding incidents of sexual violence and related matters, so that we, as a society can take steps towards collective action to reduce its incidence. It is an effort to ensure that we acknowledge the rampant sexual violence that exists, lest we forget.
This issue looks at 29th July to 4th August, 2017.
Pakistan’s Imran Khan accused of sending lewd messages
After Pakistan’s new Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi called for the formation of a special committee to investigate the allegations of harassment levelled against Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman and former Pakistan cricket team captain Imran Khan by the Member of the National Assembly, Ayesha Gulalai, Pakistan’s National Assembly on Friday decided to form a special committee to probe the sexual harassment allegations.
Ms. Gulalai has alleged that Mr. Khan had hinted towards marriage in the texts sent to her and also sent inappropriate messages to her.
Woman principal sexually harasses boy
Punjab education department has suspended a woman principal of a school in Patiala after a 17 year old boy accused her of sexual harassment. He claimed she would take him to her residence and also made him sit next to her during school hours. The matter came to light after he rejected her demands and was subsequently removed from the school.
Koena Mitra gets 40-50 calls from unknown numbers
Koena Mitra has filed a case of sexual harassment against an unknown caller at the Oshiwara Police Station in Mumbai after receiving 40-50 calls from unknown numbers. The caller reportedly abused her and offered her money.
A police officer assigned to the case said, “We have booked the caller under section 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of IPC and are investigating the case further.”
Disney executive allegedly fired for complaining about boss’ sexist remarks
Jocelyn McDowell, former Disney Channel’s Worldwide executive, says that she had reported her boss, Jimmy Blackburn, for making inappropriate and sexist remarks to two women in February, 2015. Though the complaint was supposed to be confidential her boss found out that she was the source of the complaint and was reportedly infuriated.
She filed a lawsuit on Wednesday alleging that she faced retaliation for her complaint for two years and was eventually fired as a consequence of her complaint. According to the suit, Blackburn told her, “I will have your job by the end of the day,” and “No one does this to me.”
Noted writer harasses on Facebook messenger
A female writer has accused noted writer Haraprasad Das of sexual harassment on Facebook messenger. A group of civil society members on Tuesday lodged a complaint with the State Commission for Women(SCW) demanding investigation and action against the accused.
Haraprasad Das allegedly sent sexually suggestive messages to her, asked her to send him selfies and also attempted a video call which the female writer didn’t pick up. The accused has claimed that he has been inactive on Facebook and said that it’s possible that his account was hacked.
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In case you like this new series, hate it, or think there are stories that we should be covering but have missed out on, please email us at [email protected]. We look forward to your inputs and feedback!
